Securing the State

Governments recognise that national security in the turbulent conditions of the early twenty-first century must centre on the creation of public confidence that normal life can continue even in the face of threats such as terrorism and proliferation, and of natural hazards such as pandemics and climate change. Based on his own experience in government, David Omand argues that while public security is vital for good government, the effects of bad government will result from failure to maintain the right relationship between justice, liberty, privacy, civic harmony and security measures. His book examines in detail how secret intelligence helps governments to deliver security, but also risks raising public concern over its methods. A set of ethical principles is proposed to guide intelligence and security work within the framework of human rights. Securing the State provides a new way of thinking about the cycle of activities that generates secret intelligence, examines the issues that arise from the way that modern intelligence uses technology to access new sources of information, and discusses how the meaning of intelligence can best be elucidated. The limits of intelligence in enabling greater security are explored, especially in guiding government in a world in which we must learn not to be surprised by surprise. Illustrated throughout by historical examples, David Omand provides new perspectives for practitioners and those teaching security and intelligence studies and for a wider readership offers an accessible introduction to pressing issues of public policy.

About the Author :
Sir David Omand, GCB, was Intelligence and Security Coordinator in the Cabinet Office from 2002-5. He has also been a member of the Joint Intelligence Committee, Permanent Secretary of the Home Office and the Cabinet Office, Director of GCHQ and Deputy Under Secretary of State for Defence Policy. He is now a visiting Professor in the War Studies Department of King's College London and an honorary Fellow of Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge.

Review :
'An invaluable handbook for politicians, intelligence professionals, journalists and anyone else who wants to know what should and should not be done in the name of securing the state in an age of surprise, turbulence and implacably hostile terrorist networks that are more than capable of using the latest technology.' 'Few books on national security become instant classics in their field. Sir David Omand's brilliantly insightful and authoritative Securing the State will be one of those. It is one of the most important studies on the role intelligence services play in crafting successful counterterrorism measures by governments, the book's primary, although not sole, focus.' 'David Omand's superb book is a reminder of why state security is important. ... Every security practitioner should read this book, which distils so much experience gathered at the sharp end of security. Sir David Omand is undoubtedly one of the most able people to have served in British government since the Second World War.' 'We live today in a complex, unstable and interconnected world which requires expert navigation if it is to be understood. David Omand's career in, and commitment to, the security of the British citizen is beyond peer and here, in a highly readable form, is simply the best available guide to the current challenges to our safety and what needs to be done to mitigate them.' 'A thoughtful, exceptionally well-informed book. Essential reading for anyone seriously interested in the role of intelligence in modern government.' 'Anyone considering the complexities of security and intelligence work in the twenty-first century will find David Omand's masterly analysis stimulating and thought-provoking.'